A simple method for preventing blood-borne contamination to operating room personnel during vascular reconstructive...

Although the risk of infection with hepatitis or HIV remains low, and the effectiveness of steps to reduce even this small risk is difficult to assess, the sequelae of the infection with either virus are often devastating. We described herein the use of a sterile Petri dish to inspect vascular anastomoses during arterial reconstructive operations. This simple, inexpensive precaution has been in use at the University of Cincinnati for two years and has proved so effective in preventing the contamination of operating room personnel with blood from a patient that it has recently become a routine part of all vascular reconstructive operations.